Celtic fans indulging in 'abhorrent disregard' of Rangers are just spouting Aberdeen 'garbage' cries the Hotline

As far as the Old Firm are concerned, if you’re not first you’re last … unless you finish third, then you really are in trouble.

That’s the fate the Celtic faithful reckon is awaiting Rangers this season. Whether it’s their honestly held belief or just the jubilant Hoops support getting the fishing rods out again after Sunday’s derby demolition job, predictably it got a few bites.

Bluenose George Wilson, West Sussex, raged back: “It’s comical reading the Hotline’s Celtic contingent pretending that Aberdeen are now their main rivals and the next fixture against them is their big one of the season. The next big league game actually in their heads is at Ibrox on January 2. When you stop phoning and writing about us nearly every day and generally obsessing, we will accept you are no longer bothered about us. It will never happen nor will Aberdeen maintain a challenge in the league. Therefore If Rangers are no longer a threat to Celtic, I can assume we will no longer have to put up with the everyday anti-Rangers garbage any more from the usual suspects.”

Donald Dundas, Uddingston, lashed out too, saying: “Here we go again. First it was Hearts are going to finish second. Now Gordon Ashley & Co have realised they're rubbish, so they’ve moved onto Aberdeen being the main challengers. Let's hope St Mirren or some other also-ran don't have a decent run as they'll be the next great hope. Even the diehards know where we are at just now but to once again HOPE Rangers don't come second is just abhorrent disregard - but not unexpected.”

But Celtic fan Chris Dyer couldn’t resist another pop: “Any truth in the rumour that there will be NO Rangers fans at Celtic Park for the next March as Rangers cannot guarantee that they will be in the